SLS AMG pace car

After two seasons, the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG is being retired as the F1 Safety Car.

Its replacement is the 571 bhp SLS AMG, powered by a 6.3 litre V8 engine and capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.


Characterised by its gull-wing doors, the SLS AMG has an aluminium spaceframe body that keeps its weight down to just 1620 kg. The F1 Safety Car version will have exactly the same engine, seven speed double-clutch transmission and suspension as the production SLS AMG. The only technical difference is a new rear silencer, mainly to produce a bit more noise.

Visually, the F1 Safety Car is distinguished by prominent graphics, carbon fibre door mirrors and an LED roof-mounted light bar, which incorporates a TV camera.

There’s also a second camera, mounted next to the rear number plate. That’s so FIA representative Pete Tibbetts, who will sit alongside SLS AMG driver Bernd Maylander, can keep an eye on the following F1 cars via an in-cockpit monitor.

It would be cruel to suggest that some of the cars and drivers on the F1 grid this year might struggle to keep up with the new 2010 pace car...

The road-going version of the SLS AMG is available in the UK for £157,500.

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